Purpose of connecting Nintendo DSi to internet?

[blublu]

Can someone please tell me what the purpose is of connecting a Nintendo DSi to the internet? I'm assuming that this will allow the user to play games with other people. It also appears that the user can purchase and download games from the Nintendo DSi shop. Is there anything else?

What are your thoughts on allowing a child to connect their DSi to the internet? Is there any point to it? It would seem like there wouldn't be any point unless an adult was willing to pay for the games.

[73-79 ford fan]

I mostly use the online ability of the DS to check the radar in the middle night in bed when waken up by storms since I live in a tornado prone area but beyond that its just too slow and limited.